Expansible band, chain, or linkage



Feb. l2, 1929. 1,701,982

. A. L..NEWMAN EXPANSIBLE BAND, CHAIN, OR LINKAGE Filed July 12, 1927 Patented Feb. l2, 1929.

ITED STATES ALMYR Il. NEWMAN, OF WARWICK, RHODE PATENT OFFICE.

ISLAND, ASSIGNOB TO A. L. NEWMAN COM- PANY, OF P RQVIDENOE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION' OF RHODE ISLAND.

EXPANSIBLE BAND, CHAIN, OR LINKAGE.

Application led yJuly 12,

This invention relates to flexible and expansible bands, chains or linkages for use as articles of jewelry and adornment, for instance as bracelets for wrist-watches. The invention consists of improvements in the construction and method of operation of such devices or articles.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an article of the type specified comprisingarticulated link elements associated in close relation and adapted to flex one in relation to the other and to slide one on another to render the whole band or linkage flexible and expansible to adapt it to various uses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction for the band or linkage in which the connected link elements are neatly and smoothly joined together and adapted to be flexed and expanded without dislocation of the parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a band or linkage having the links coupled together in such manner that they may be readily disconnected so that one or more units may be addedto or subtracted from the article to vary it-s length.

Another objectof Vthe invention is to provide a device of the type specified in which the link element-s may be constructed from sheet-metal blanks punched out and struck up in dies and capable of being assembled with very little hand labor.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of constructionof the' invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective View illustrating a wrist-watch band or bracelet constructed in accordance with the invention and showing it flexed in circular shape and contracted with its links in abutting relation;

Fig. 2 is a greatly enlarged bottom plan view of several of the associated link elements, with certain of the links illustrated in section in a horizontal plane andone of the innerlinks shown in extended or'expanded relation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of several links showing certain of them in section in a medial vertical plane and illustrating one of the slide links in extended or expanded relation;

Fig. ll is an enlarged cross-sectional view 1927. Serial N0. 205,117.

taken on line 1 -Ll of Fig. 3 and illustrating twomof the links in telescoped relation;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating one of the outer box-links `with the inner slide link assembled in telescoping relation therewith, and also showing another pair of asspciated link members in reverse position; anc

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing one of the inner slide links before it is assembled with the outer box-link. l

The present improved band, chain or linkage comprises in geenral a series of outer tubular box-links 2 and inner slidable connecting-links 3 which are nor-mally main tained telescopcd within the box-links under the tension of suitable coil-springs.

rThe outer or mainlinks 2 are preferably constructed from sheet-metal blanks, being folded or bent up with an unbroken sub-- stantially flat top-portion 5, sides 6 bentv at right-angles thereto, and a bottom-portion formed by two extensions 7 of the sides `folded over tc meet at the center; it being noted that in Figs. 2 to 6 of the drawings the link elements are shown in inverted posi? tion7 that is, bottom side up as compared with the position they assume when used in a bracelet or other similar article.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 5, the sides 6 of the outer box-links 2 are preferably beveled off or inclined at their ends to provide that when the several links are assembled in a band or chain as illustrated in Fig. l the latter may be bent around intoa curve to conform to the wrist of the wearer without separating or spreading the links" apart at the joints.

Referring to Fig. 5 ofthe drawings, theV l() which forms a part of the connectingmeans for` coupling the links together in a band or chain. At the opposite end of the main link 2 the bottom portions 7 are formed 4with rectangular ears or lugs14 which are bent over in inclined relationcono forming to the inclined ends ofthe sides of the links. The lugs or ears 14 extendrpart way across the open end of the boXlink 2 and provide abutments for taking the thrust of the spring4 which operates to maintain the slide link 3. telescoped within the outer link 2. v Y

, Referring now tol Fig. (Soif the drawings, the inner slide link 3 isalso struckY upV from sheet-metal, being shaped substantially like a shallow openboxortray. Bentover from the top portion 15 are `narrow sides 16 and an end-strip 17 extending therebetween. The opposite end of the slide` link 3 .has its sides beveled olil orinclined at an angle `to conform to thefinclinedrends of the outer shown in Fig. 6, the tabv20 being lett projectingat a slight angle to the end-strip 18, but not, bent around in `a loop.

operative link elements are first assembled'in pairs, the slide link 3 being held at an anglel with respect 4to theouter link 2.and then slid thereinto` with the spring 4 in position with one of `its ends `abutting the end-strip 17 of the slide and its other end .bearing against thetwo `alnitments or Vlugs 14:' on the bexli'nki `After the outer and innerlinks have been assembled in cooperative `relation the-several units of the chain, bandV or *linkage 'are coupled together in the manner as neXtf eX- plained. Theinner slide link 3 is drawn out slightly Afrom ,the end of the outer l vboxlink 2 as shown at the rightin Figs..2 -an l 3,and Valso illustrated at the lett inFig. 5. The tab 20' on the end-'strip 18 ot' the slide v s link 3 is then inserted in under the cross-bar vlOat thel end of the main link to be coupled Y thereto, and the two links canted in angular relation to project the tab out throughthe opening 9 above the cross-bar 10.v `The ftwo connectedflink units are then held in alined Vrelation as shown in Fig. 3andthetab120 Ybent-or curled over in the form of a'hook Y fas illustrated most clearly in thexviewY last `referred to.V Any suitable Vinstrument or l toolmay be Yused for bending `the tab YoverV to'` form' .the hook `and `the* other llinks in the v seriesarecoupledtogetherin the same mannein "Y j ltgwil'lthus seenthat the several units,

each consisting4 of an outer boX-link'and its respective innerY telescoped slide link,.1nay be readily clasped or coupled together to form a continuous band, chain or linkage for use as ank article or" jewelry or "the" like. When the band or linkage is contracted with the links 1in closed relation the ends of the hooked tabs 20 on the slide links nest in the 'openings between the lugs 14 of the outer 'box-links so thatV the joints between the links are `substantially flush and un-V broken, see Figs. 2 and 3.V If the article is tol Vbe 'used as a wrist-watchA bracelet,l suitaable clasps 25, see Fig, l, are attachedY to its free endsv to adapted it to be fastened to thel bails on the side `of thel Watch.. In other cases end-clasps. adapted for attachment to the edges otaslipper maybe employed, so that the article may be used as Yaninstep strap in accordance with a prevailing vogue or style..The presentY device Vis also well adapted for usev as a completeV bracelet, as a girdleor belt, or'for any other purpose of utility or adorninent.

In most'cases it is desirable to have, the bracelet .or other articlek capable of adjustmentf in length to meetrthe requirements of differentV users. In thewpresentv ydevice the bracelet,strap or other article may bealtered in length. byV disconnecting its links and either removing alink unit or adding oneor more new units. This adjustment ofA the lengthot' the article may be readily accom`V plished the jeweler or 'store-keeper who sells the articles, `it being onlynecessary to pryup the Vhooked tabs 20 which couple the link units together whereby certain links may be removed or other links added'.Y l

lffhile have herein described and-illus! tratedthe device in' its simplest form, it is obvious that the links may be oriiainentedY orrembellishedA vin any usual manner for instance, the tops of the links may be pierced,v

engravedor setwith brilliants. lt willibe observed thatthe attractiveness ol the whole Varticle is'fenhanced by the fact that its parts are neatlyand smoothlyA joined together yso that no' unsightly gaps or openings appear when the band or .linka-ge is Vflexed, f the Vtapered ends offtheslinks providing .for a snug tit when the band is bent into a circle. The parts of eachV lin-kruit slide smoothly on each other Whe'nlthe bracelet is stretched orf extended without revealing `any conspicuous brokeny joints or Yrough edgesand lthe improved article is therefore particularly neatand inishedV in. appearancefunder all f conditions ofuse."` 'Thesprings are entirely 1 enclosed withintheouter boX-links'and hidden `from Yviewzev'en Iwhen the' bracelet is explained, andthe coupled endsof the links j are neatlyjointed so thatV the mechanical Y construction, isnotconspicuous. Y v Moreover, the method. of coupling the link units togetherv'fshqwsanA improvement in that the end-strips 18 on the slide links 3 bear across the whole width of the end portions 8 of the box-links 2 and thus prevent the links from canting sidewise or skewing out of alinement. lThis arrangement renders the wlhole construction eirtremely strong and rugged and guards against breakage or dislocation of the link joints.

It will also `be noted that the present improved construction provides for the utmost simplicity, both as to the number of parts and the form of the elements and thus adapts the completed article to economical methods of manufacture.

W'hile l have herein described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention expressed in the appended claims.

l claim:

l. A flexible and ekpansible band, chain or linkage comprising outer box-links folded from sheet-metal blanks with lugs bent part way across one open end thereof and portions of the bottom wall of the link bent across the opposite open end and cut away with an opening to form a lateral cross-bar, inner slide links having top-portions with sides bent over therefrom and an end-strip extending therebetween, the opposite end of said slide link being formed with a` strip having a tab projecting from the edge thereof, and a spring enclosed within the box-link abutting its end lugs and bearing against the end-strip of the slide link, said link units being assembled in a band or linkage with the end-strip of the slide link engaging in back of the end of the box-link across the full width thereof and its tab hooked over the cross-bar thereof in the opening between the bent portions of its bottom wall.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a series of outer box-like links having lugs projecting across one open end and the other end bent over and cut away to form a relatively narrow cross-bar, a series of inner slide links having sides abutting the sides of the outer link and an end-strip extending therebetween, and a spring within the box-link abutting its lugs at one end and bearing against the end-strip of the slide link, said slide linkalso provided with an end-strip adapted to engage in back ofthe bent portion on the outer link throughout the full width thereof and provided with an integral narrow tab inserted through the opening therein and hooked around the cross-bar to couple the links together.

3. ln a device of the type specified, the combination of a box-shaped link having a narrow slot extending across o-ne end thereof and a cross-bar below the slot formed by an opening in the end of the link, a slide link assembled within the bore link and provided with sides abutting the sides' thereof, said slide link also provided with a strip atl one end adapted to be inserted `through the slot at the end of the main link to engage the inner face of the cross-bar thereon throughout the whole width of the link and cut away at its sides to form an integral narrow tab bent around said cross-bar to flexibly couple the link units together, and a spring enclosed within the box-link and acting on the slide to maintain the links in telescoped relation.

l. ln a device of the type specied, the combination of a box-shaped link having a substantially flat top, sides and a closed bottom, a pair of lugs bent at an angle to the bottom at one end of the link, an end-strip bent upwardly at the bottom at the opposite end of the link with its edge spaced away from the top thereof and formed with a relatively narrow opening providing a lateral cross-bar, a slide link in the form of va shallow tray slidable within the boze-link with its sides abutting the sides thereof and provided with an end-strip adapted to engage over the edge of the bent end of the box-link throughout its full width, said end-strip being out away at its sides to form a relatively narrow integral tab projecting through the opening and bent around the crossbar on the box-link, and a spring en closed withinthe box-link acting between the lugs thereof and the end of the slide link to maintain the latter normally tele scoped within the box-link.

i ln testimony whereof I athx my signature.

ALMYR L. NEWMAN. 

